Welcome to our new Pastor

FUMC Pasadena is excited to announce that our new pastor, Rev. N. Adiel (/ae-dee-el/) A. DePano, will begin his appointment with us on Sunday, July 1, 2012, when he will preach his first sermon.

Rev. DePano was born in Manila, Philippines in 1960.  He is the fourth child of nine born to Nathanael, a lawyer and former Presiding Justice of the Philippines Court of Appeals, and Aurora, a school teacher and former head of a home economics department.  He is a fourth-generation United Methodist minister.

After receiving his Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology, Rev. DePano served his internship at Rosewood UMC in Los Angeles.  

Rev. DePano has served as the senior pastor at three church appointments, each lasting seven years.  His appointments included First Filipino-American UMC in Hacienda Heights, First United Methodist Church in National City near San Diego, and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard.  He is currently serving as Superintendent of the Pasadena District, California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church.

During his career, he has successfully implemented capital campaigns to renovate and refurbish sanctuaries and education wings, introduced exciting group study programs, merged congregations, integrated ethic groups, and developed lay leadership.

Rev. Adiel has been married to Brenda, who has her master’s degree in Christian Education, for 23 years.  They have three children, Katerina (22), Julian (18), and Pauline (16).  Spending time with his family is relaxing for Rev. Adiel, and his hobbies include air/aviation and reading.  He and Brenda enjoy traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Central America and Asia.  

Goodbye dear members and friends of FUMC

As you can well imagine we, as your interim ministers for the past 8 months, write this letter with a wide range of feelings.  Looking back to October 15th of last year we could not have imagined the journey we have traveled together and the memories made that will stay with us for many years to come.  It would be impossible for us to share how much you have meant to us in a short article, but here’s a try.  

Even as leadership changes - the mission of FUMC will be connecting people to Jesus Christ.  It is especially hard to think of saying goodbye to many dear friends we have come to love and appreciate at this church.  We are excited about what God has in store for you in the coming months and in this new season of your lives. 

Please join us in praying for FUMC during this crucial time and great opportunity in the life of this church.  We would ask also that you pray for the new pastor and his family as you prepare for a change that often feels overwhelming.  In times like these, how good it is to have confidence in God’s grace, wisdom, and daily care.  Moreover, it helps to remember that we live, not for ourselves, but for Christ and the praise of His glory.

Bishop Beverly Shamana

Rev. Ken McMillan